Combined adjustable straight-edge, rule, and alignment tester



Noma, 1937.' DHVVESLANDER 2,099,784l

COMBINED ADJUSTABLE STRAIGHT EDGE, RULE, AND ALIGNMENT TESTER Filed July 2, 1936 Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED j STATES lPA'I'IELNVI OFF Y COMBINED-ADJUSTABLE STRAIGHT-EDGE,

RULE, AND ALIGNMENTf'TE STER DanielH. Wieslander, Portland, MaineV Application July 2, 1936, Serial No. 88,565

8 Claims.

Thisinvention relates, in generalterms, to improvements in combination rulesandstraight-- edges, dealing more particularly with that type of device used by paper hangers rfor trimming wall 5 paper to a straight line. A

Straight-edges are made usually of wood, with metal edges in the form of channels, although in some instances the complete implement is constructedof metal. In the present instance, however, I have elected to illustrate and describe my-- invention as fabricated-from-wood and metal In the conventional type of straight-edge made of the two materials mentioned the wood will,

aftera time, start to warp andbend, causingtheV metal cutting edge to be distorted andout of truth. And as ordinarily constructed vit is a somewhat difficult mattery -to again put the` straight-edge into proper workable shape.

The present invention4 has been conceived with channel to which it is attached into alignmentv with a central portion which may be lxedto the body portion of the` straight-edge.

screws are being actuated.

In order to better understand the import of my invention reference should lbe had to the description found in the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing disclosing an embodiment which, at the present time, I consider preferable to other possible forms in which the invention might be carried out.

In the drawing, in which like reference characters are employed to identify similar parts in all the different views,-

Fig. l is a perspective View of my straight-edge device;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section takenA on line 2 2, Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transversesection taken on line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan View of the straightedge, the Section being taken ori-line y4-Jl, Fig. 3;

the objectin View of incorporating withinthebody of the straightdge.certainstructure where- The invention further contemplates means for f checking the accuracy of the alignment as the .v

Fig.5- is a fragmentary, enlarged view of Fig.3; fY

Fig. 6 shows a iragmentaryfview in perspective, of the adjustable cuttingedge channel; *Y

Fig. 'Z is a detail havingto do with thevtaut-line testing-elements used in checking the alignment f5 of the cutting edgechannel;

Fig. 8 is a view of the'cuttingedge side of theV straight-edge with a conventionalftype trimmer A shown mounted-thereon;

trackroverl which the trimmer moves `in cuttingthepaper, and.I

Fig; -lO shows an alternative methodof securing the internally threaded studs to the channel, and.

Fig. 11 is an enlargedsectionalView ofa part of Fig.-4.

Referring toI the drawing, l is the body portion-- of my straight-edge, preferablyalthoughnot necessarily made of wood. On its top surface is an 20 ordinaryscaley 2 graduatedrin inchesfandractions of an inch. Thefdevice `may be madefof -anyr desired length, but 'as shown, it represents one of seventy-two inchesin length.

Onwits ileft hand side,.as when yviewing it in- 25 Fig.` 2, :the straight-edgemis protected-and somewhat stitfened by -a channel memberl, the

same being secured to the wood body byscrews 4. On the opposite, or right-hand sideiof the de-V vice is a transverselyadjustable channel member 30 5, ther outer faces of theftwo legs-of which, as also applies in thecase ofchannel 3, being preferablyIV flush with the top andbottom surfaces, respec-- tivelypof the straight-edge. -If preferred, the

bottom lface. of the wood body, the: transversely l intervening. portion .of the Vstraight-edgethenl beingy out. of contact-with Ythe .papera-being trimmed..

It will be observed that..the.y web portion 5a, 40 y,

in the spacers: a short shim Ili anddraw the-cene. 50

trai-portion of lthe webyafstrongly thereonto. A Adjustments transversely of the straight-edge.; mayl no w be ,f made on lthe channel. ,.5 on ,portions thereoffslyinglengthwise Ona-either tvside-fof the central portion. By removalofthefshinr' a1165 Fig. -9 illustrates -a slightly modif led formwof 10 i lower legs of bothchannels may extend. belown the 35 parts are susceptible of iiexing, transversely of the straight-edge.

At intervals along the length of the straightedge, on each side of the section to which the channel is xedly attached, are holes 8, (see Fig. 5), within which are disposed, respectively, the bolts 9. The slotted heads 9a of these bolts operate in counterbores I0, and their outer faces thrust on `the-inside of the channel 3. Placed ahead of the4 bolt head 9a, in each case, is a washer II and a spring washer I2, the function of the latter being to maintain the bolt head in constant engagement with the wall of the channel 3. Y

A hole I3 is made in the channel 3, abreast and in alignment'with each of the bolt-heads 9a in order to provide access to the slot 9b in the bolthead with a screw-driver.

Secured to and disposed on the inside face of the wall 5a of the channel 5 are a plurality of internally screw-threaded studs I4, in AeachV of which-one of the bolts 9 has screw-threaded engagement.

The top leg 5b of the channel 5 over-hangs a longitudinal groove I5 made inthe wood body of the straight-edge, forming a lip which pre-.

vents vertical displacement -of the paper trimmer VT Yfrom the straight-edge during paper trimming operations.

slot or groove I5and engaging the'under side of the overhanging portion of the leg 5b of Vthe channel, the roll R travelling over the top surface'of the channel and the cutter C travelling along the channel side 5a while trimming the paper. The trimmerY device forms no part of the present invention and is shown simply to bring out the purpose or object of the straight-edge in wall-paper-trimming work.

1 VThe leg 5b of the channel 5 (see Fig. 5) constitutes a railupon which the roll R travels as it moves along the straight-edge. In Yother words, it supports the trimmer body on which the cutter C is swingingly mounted. Y

vpIn service, and after long continuous work, it isY found that considerable ,play develops between the parts so that the trimmer becomes more or less unstable.

In Fig. 9 I illustrate a slightly modiiied form of rail upon which the trimmer traverses the the straight-edge, leavinga short lip'or overhanging portion 15a. The trimmer, in this instance, has a T form of rail-engaging member Aa, which contacts the under side of each of the rail elements, 5b and I6, and has two rolls, Ra.

This construction provides a much wider baseV -or supporting the trimmer in action.

On each end of the straight-edge is pivotally secured a thin plate I'I, having near its free end a tapering incision I'Ia. In Fig. 7 this plate is shown in its housed position in full lines. Upon swinging it outwardly, as shown in dot and dash lines, after first loosening the pivot screw I8, and then Vtightening this screw, a wire or ne cord VI9 may be stretched from one to the'otherV of the plates, the line or wireY being locked in the tapering cut outV portion I'Ia by drawing it downwardly until it binds in the crotch of the incision.

After the cord is tightly drawn Vandfsecured in the plates I'I, as seen in Fig. 4, it serves as vmeans by which-the accuracy, or inaccuracy, of

Fig. 8 illustrates a conventional type ftiimmer, the angular member A operating in theV the cutting edge of the straight-edge may be checked, by using inside calipers.

With the shim 6 in place, the bolt 9 located at In Fig. 5 the member I4 is shown shouldered,

with the reduced portion riveted to the web of the channel. Fig. illustrates another method of attaching the internally threaded studs to the channel, namely, by spot welding,the stud having a ange on its end to give a larger area or surface presented to the face of the channel for support.

In ymaking the alignment test by the caliper method, the distance between the tautened cord I9 and the face ofthe cutting-edge 5a abreast of the shimV 6 is calibrated, and this distance taken as a base measurement. If any portions or locations along the length of the cutting-edge deviate from this base measurement the respective bolts 9 are actuated, or rotated either one way or the other, to bring all parts or portions of Y the cutting-edge into longitudinal alignment relatively, and into parallelism with the cord I9.

It may develop that the straight-edge is substantially true and straight, but the paper-V hanger cannot safely assume this until after he has made the test.V

In some instances, as when the Wooden portion is abnormally bent or crooked, it may be desirable to dispense with the shim 9, in which case.

all the bolts 9 are actuated to bring the cuttingedge true.

I have, hereinbefore, stated that it is optional as to the material used in the body portion of my straight-edge, although I preferablyV employ wood for this member.

Anything made of wood is likely to shrink more or less after being made into a nished article or commodity. Ashrinkage end-wise, however, is very much less than cross-wise the grain, but I have deemed it wise to take cognizance of the fact that my straight-edge will shrink longi- `tudinally to a certain extent.

due, of course, to the fact that the wood shrinks and the metal channel does not, resulting in disaligning the holes in the body I and channel web 5a.

In Fig. ll, showing a portion of Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale, the longitudinally central bolt 9.

V(shown in Fig. 4 at C) makes a tight iit in the hole 8, so that to all intents and purposes the channel is anchored to the wooden body of the straight-edge at this location.

From this central position, toward each endv of the straight-edge, the holes 8 progressively increase in size to permit freedom of movement ments of the holes 8 should the body portion of the straight-edge change its form.

curing means for the channel 3 which is attached to the body I by screws 4. The countersunk holes "4a, which receive the heads of the flat-head screws '4, is slightly elongated, allowing for a 7g Provision is also made with respect to the se-' certain amountpf playf .betweeny the,scr ew- Y xstraigifitness .of its cutting-edge, a paper-hanger vrecting faults intrlmming over the workmanl Works with v)full assurance .thatA when he makes a cut in the trimmingof the wall-paper it will l,

be .straight and true.

He can,therefore, work to better advantage than he otherwise could.. He.saves time in cor- Who is using an out-of-true straight-edge; and he vveryoften eliminatesthe waste .of paper which due to the character of the pattern or design of the figure thereon cannot be re-cut to advantage. While I have described the invention as it applies vto the art of trimming wall-paper, it is not to be understood that I limit myself to thisparticular application, in practice, as it is obvious that it will -bevkfoundvery useful and of advantage in other situations wh-ere the object is to delineate a true, straight line.

What I claim is:

l. An adjustable straight-edge and rule comprising in combination a wooden body element having on one of its faces a slot extending the full length thereof, a metal channel-shape member disposed over one edge of said wooden body element and xedly secured thereto, a second metal channel member, having one side wall constituting a cutting edge, disposed over but spaced from the opposite edge of said wooden body member, a short shim disposed between said cutting `edge and the adjacent edge of said wooden body element, and means to flex, transversely of the straight-edge, the portions of said second metal channel member disposed, longitudinally, on either side of said shim.

2. An adjustable straight-edge comprising in combination a wooden central member, a channel element xedly secured on one edge of said member, said element having a plurality of holes therein, and extending for the full length of said member, a second channel element, constituting a cutting edge for said straight-edge, disposed on the opposite edge of said central member, and spaced from said edge, a plurality of internally threaded studs secured in the cutting edge wall of said second channel member, said studs being arranged in spaced order for the full length of said second channel member, and a plurality of bolts, having slotted heads, passing through said central member, the said heads thrusting on the inside face of the first channel member, and the opposite ends of said bolts having screw-threaded engagement, respectively, with the said internally screw-threaded studs.

3. An adjustable straight-edge and alignment tester comprising in combination a body portion having a. longitudinal slot along its upper face, a channel fixedly secured to and encompassing one edge of said body portion, a second channel encompassing the opposite edge of said body portion, its central, or web portion constituting the cutting-edge of said straight-edge, one leg of said second channel overhanging the slot in the body portion, means to flex said second channel in a direction normal to the body edge which it encompasses, at a plurality of points along its length, a plate pivotally secured on each end of said body portion, and an open-end tapering incision made in one side of said plate, whereby when said plates are swung from their housed positions on the end of said body portion outwardly, said incisions are disposed beyond the Outer-face Y of .said Quttnezsdgeandareadaptedto receive a cord which when tautened serves as'.4

mansion; Shaking the ,accurata with :respect to sitraightnesspf said .cutting-,edge.l v

4. A device of Athe class described-adapted for in combination a woodenrule having a longitudinally. extendinggroove onY one of its faces and a pluralityof `longitudinally spaced bolt-receivingfholes boredftransversely of saidrule, a channelmember flxedly` secured on one edge of said rule,theweb portion thereof having holes aligning, respectively, with said bolt-receiving holes, a second channel .member disposed on the oppositeedgehof said rule, its web-portion, conuse `in wallpaper trimming operations comprising I stituting `the cutting edge for the device. being spaced f rornthe adjacent edge of the rule, a pluralityof internally threaded .studssecured to and on the inside facey of theweb of said second channel. member, ,the studs aligning, respectively, with the bolt-receiving holes in said rule, a bolt, having a slotted head abutting on said first channel member, disposed in each of the said bolt-receiving openings, with its threaded end engaging one of said studs, whereby upon rotating said bolt said cutting-edge is flexed, and a plate having a V-shape notch cut in its side secured pivotally at each end of said rule, and when swung outwardly adapted to receive and secure in said notches a tautened cord into parallelism with which all portions throughout the length of said cutting-edge are adapted to be brought, successively, by rotation of the respective bolts.

5. An adjustable straight-edge and rule comprising a body member, a groove cut on the upper face of said body member, extending for the ull length thereof, a channel member enclosing one edge of said body portion for its entire length, and means incorporated in said body portion for flexing said channel member at various locations along its length, transversely of said body portion, for the purpose of bringing all points of the channel, lengthwise of the straight-edge, into mutual alignment.

6. A straight-edge adapted for use in trimming wall paper comprising in combination a body member having a longitudinal groove in its top face and a plurality of longitudinally spaced boltreceiving holes extending transversely from edge to edge of said member, the ends of said holes being counterbored, a channel member, constituting a cutting-edge for saidstraight-edge, mounted over the front edge of said straightedge, the web of said channel member being, normally, spaced from the edge of the body member and its two legs adapted, respectively, to slidably engage the top and bottom faces of the body member, the upper of the two said legs overhanging said groove in the body member, a plurality of slotted-head bolts operating, respectively, in the said holes in the body member, the heads of the bolts being disposed in the respective counterbores on the back edge of the body member, and their opposite ends having screwthreaded engagement with said cutting-edge channel member, a second channel member, having a plurality of holes in its web portion smaller than the heads of said bolts and aligning therewith, xedly secured to and enclosing the back edge of said body member, and a spring washer on each of said bolts, disposed inwardly of its head, adapted to thrust on the bottom of said counterbore and the inner face of the bolt head, to hold said bolt in strong, yielding contact with 4 y Y Y 2,099,784;-`

the web of the second mentioned channel member.

7. An adjustable straight-edge comprising in combination a wooden body portion, a channel element secured to and enclosing one edge of said body portion, said channel element having a plurality of slotted screw-apertures therein, a second channel element enclosing the whole length of the opposite edge of said body portion, the web of the last mentioned channel elementV being, normally, disposed in spaced relation to the adjacent edge of the body portion,`adjusting members incorporated Yin said body portion engaging, respectively, said second mentioned'channel element at a plurality of locations disposed at intervals throughout its length, said members adapted to maintain, respectively, the saidV plurality of locations on the channel member last mentioned Y inV mutual, longitudinal alignment after rst being brought thereinto, and Ymeans Yin said top and bottom faces, of said body portion, the Y upper leg of said channel member overhanglng said groove, and a rail secured to and on the top face of said body portion, aligning horizontally with the top leg of said channel member and overhanging the opposite side of said groove, said rail together with the top leg of said channel member constituting means for supporting and guiding a paper-trimming device during papern cutting operations.

DANIEL H. WIESLANDER. 

